ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Emergency crews safely rescued an unconscious person from the roof of Erwin Middle School on Monday morning after the incident escalated into a high-angle rescue.
The Rockwell Rural Fire Department was dispatched at 9:17 a.m. to Erwin Middle School for a report of an unconscious patient. While units were responding, Rowan Communications advised crews the call had been upgraded to a reported cardiac arrest and that the patient was on the roof of the school. The incident was immediately upgraded to a high-angle rescue.
Rockwell Rural Fire Chief 710 and Chief 510 were the first to reach the roof, where they located the patient. After assessing the situation, crews determined the patient was breathing but remained unconscious.
Firefighters quickly carried out a coordinated high-angle rescue, safely removing the patient from the roof before transferring care to Rowan County EMS. The patient was transported to a hospital. No additional information about the patient’s condition was released.
The response included personnel from the Rockwell Rural Fire Department, Rockwell City Fire Department, Salisbury Fire Department, Gold Hill Fire Department, Granite Quarry Fire Department, Rowan County Rescue Squad, Rowan County EMS and Rowan County Emergency Management.
Fire officials said the incident demonstrated the importance of training, preparation and interagency cooperation during complex emergency incidents. They also thanked Rowan Communications for coordinating resources and recognized all responding agencies for their teamwork and professionalism throughout the rescue.
